The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-01-01

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minutes he didn't speak a word while
the others were planning how to set to
work; all at once he spoke up very
briskly:
"Oh boys, l know something that 1
think would be splendid! Oh ever so
much nicer than pulling down poor Jed
and Pills fort!'
whats up nowP" inquired the.
others
"Why, think it would be Just ele-
giant, instead of pulling down the poor
fellows fort, to stuff into it all the good
les we had left from Christmas we could
spare. I'd give some ofmy candy that's
left and know mamma'd let me give q
few of my old books that I've read and
read Then I've got some money my
uncle gave me, and with part of that l
could buy warm pair of mittens for
Jed. like JEDI he showed me how to
do a sum once that bothered me.
If the boys were roguish and came
near doing a very cruel thing for their
own selfish amusement, they were more
thoughtless than unkind, and now Frank
exclaimed:
Now that's something like, Reuby;
that is hundred times better than the
other plan. I'll buy a whole quart of
peanuts, and another pair of mittens for
Phil Nibley. My mother giyeme some
cookies, l know, and"
"Oh yes, cried Dicky, unable to keep
still moment longer "Oh yes! and
my little sister had new tea set sent
her Christmas, and one she had last
years most as good as new, and | know
she Il be glad to send her old one to
Sis Nibley when | tell her about our
our scheme"
That night, Reuby told his mother
and Grandma Crane all about the snow
fort and what was first proposed, then
what they decided to do at last. Mrs.
Crane said she should have been griev-
ed enough to have found she had son
who could do mean, cruel thing just
for sport, but grandma said che neyer'd
a done it in the world, come case in
hand" Then she agreed on the spot
to make some mince turnoyers the next
day for the fort party" as the boys
called it,
The night before New Years was q
bright moonlight night, and three par
entS consented to let the boys 90 out
very late at night on their good GRAND.
The three boys started out with
their arms full of strange
looking things, and Frank Payne
had q lantern in one pocket.
Once inside the fort, which was y large
one, and nicely built, the lantern was
lighted, then board was set up with q
short loo at each end. A pretty tea set
, was first nicely arranged, then lettuce
leaves were put all around it on which
were placed cookies, doughnut', turn
overs. cakes, candy, peanuts and biscuits;
l at another end of the table were three
1 pairs of mittens, two caps and hood.
= Then to crown all there was quite a pile
of books; picture books, fairy tales and
e story books.
Y The boys were sorry they could not
0 be near when the poor Nibley children
t went to their fort in the morning, but
they were content to know there would
s be great pleasure instead Of sorrow and
, dsappo ntment to their little friends.
4 When the three Nibleys bounced out
on the morning of New Years Day to
i get warm with play and exercise, Jed,
?, the oldest boy, entered the snow fort
e first, then stood stock still, mouth and
/ eyes wide open. Phil followed next and
e stared as silently as Jed. Then little
= Sis went Jumping in, and all three stood
d for a moment as if turned to stone.
S Then Sis screamed out:
ooh, it's the fairies; they've been!'
}, And Phil cried out:
d "Oh, it's Santa Claus he's been"
y And Jed said with his voice al
It choked up:
e Its some of those blessed fellers
y from mp the road; they've been, and nc
y mistake"
+ The parents came out to see, and such
0 a rejoicing, and such a feast, the Nib
l. ley's never had before.
S The next day at school, Jed Nibley
= handed a note to Reuby Crane, directed
e to "Reuby, Frand, and Dicky." Il
d read:
II "DEAR OLD FELLOWS;
t. 1--WE know just who stormed our fort las
., ! night, and stocked it. We don know how u
IL thank you, BUT you have made us happy fo
IL all winter, ana pu says Jue duEelS WdICH oNS
,r those who do kind deeds. Phil and may Dc
- you fellows turn yet and Sis says you arr
: all her brothers"
1t Grandma was right, said Reub,
softly, as he finished reading the simple
E. note: 1T amt necessary to be KING
$ to do kind things for others.
IL million times better to stock a for
1t than to destroy it, I've discovered that,
II said Frank.
d .'Oh yes; ten million times bettern
N assented Dickey Mrs, Harriet 4
y ChcerCr, ig Golden Rule.
20 w. ,rn nrn crninm To Enrnnn